LAWRENCEVILLE — Like most coaches, Kevin Baggett subscribes to the next-man-up philosophy. So with sophomore forward Shawn Valentine out for at least two weeks with a sprained right MCL, Rider needs to replace his 17 minutes per game.

Step up Khalil Alford.

A 6-foot-4 sophomore guard from Raleigh, N.C., Alford has come off the bench in all 15 games this season, averaging 5.2 points.

“I’ve been getting some solid minutes this year,” Alford said. “I feel like I have the ability and experience to step up for Shawn.”

Alford is averaging 13 minutes per contest, but that is likely to increase with Valentine on the shelf.

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What does Alford bring to the table?

He has a smooth jumper — shooting 52.2 percent (32 of 58) — and has a knack for scoring his points in bunches.

“I just try to come in and give a spark to the rest of the team,” Alford said. “I know I have the ability to knock down shots, so I just try to help out.”

Baggett called Alford a compliment to Valentine because of their offsetting skill sets. Valentine is an intangible guy, doing the little things that don’t always appear in the boxscore.

Meanwhile, Alford brings an offensive punch and has given the Broncs a lift in the past when they’ve hit a lull.

“He’s got to step up and play more significant minutes,” said Baggett, adding freshmen Xavier Lundy and Brandon Channer could also see more playing time. “He’s got to be ready to go and bring us more energy off the bench.”

Coming off a split of the upstate New York trip that finished off a three-game road swing, Rider (8-7, 4-2) returns home Thursday to face in-state rival Saint Peter’s (6-9, 2-4).

“I think we showed a lot of fight,” said senior guard Anthony Myles of the team’s ability to bounce back from the tough double-overtime loss to Canisius. “I think we showed a lot of resilience. I’m proud of our guys even though we took a loss.”

Rider’s 3-point shooting could be a key if it wants to make it six in a row over the Peacocks.

The Broncs only attempt 18.4 triples per game, but they usually make them, clocking in at 42.8 percent, which ranks fourth nationally (Creighton leads the country at 43.6 percent).

“We’re just sharing the ball,” said Myles, who has made and attempted (27 for 70) the most 3s. “We’re giving the guys the shot when they are open.”

Myles’ 19.2 points per game rank him fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in scoring. He’s shooting 38.6 percent from behind the arc — a number that ranks fifth on his own team. The other four — Jimmie Taylor, Danny Stewart, Zedric Sadler and Tommy Pereira — are all in the top 15 in the conference, while Myles is just on the outside.

Rider is second in the MAAC in scoring, putting up 79.8 points per contest, although the defensive numbers have caused concern for Baggett.

The Broncs are 10th in scoring defense, allowing 80.5 points.

“Obviously, we can score,” Baggett said, “but we have to be able to stop people.”

About the Author

Kyle Franko covers college and high school sports at the Trentonian. He is a Rutgers grad, avid football -- the European variety -- fan and part-time pick-up basketball player. Reach the author at kfranko@trentonian.com
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